Ponting endorces Clarke for vice-captaincy

Melbourne, Feb 2 (UNI) A day ahead of Commonwealth Bank ODI tri-series, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting endorsed Michael Clarke to succeed Adam Gilchrist as vice-captain.

Ponting was highly impressed by the 26-year-old's captaincy skills and he said Clarke is the right choice to replace Adam Gilchrist as his deputy when Gilchrist retires from international cricket after the series.

''I'm sure he's ready for the vice-captaincy,'' he said.

''He's been around the team and the set-up for a number of years now and he's got a very mature head on his shoulders for someone who's 26.'' Clarke yesterday captained the Australian Twenty20 squad to a nine-wicket victory over India winning the man-of-the-match award.

''I think last night he led the team very well. He used the bowlers really well up front and used the part-time spinners through the middle at the right times when they were under a bit of pressure. And his field placings last night were spot on,'' he added.

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